Improved towel or clothes-rack



inftrtl mes JAMES M. KEEP, OF` NEW YORK', N.' Y.

Letters Patent lila-103,751, dated May 3l, 1870.

IMPROVE!) '.lOViTEilli` OR CLOTHES-RACK.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent` and making part'of the same.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known t-hat I, JAMES M. KEP, of New York -city, in the county of New York and in the State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Towel or Clothes-Racks; and do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof', reference being had to the accompanying drawing making a part of this specification, in Which- Fignrel is a side elevation of my improved device with one of the bars removed, and the remainder placed parallel with the face of the supportingbracket;

Figure 2 is a like view of the same with saw. bars placed at a right angle to said bracket; and

Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal section of one of the bars and Shanks, showing the means employed for attaching them together.

Letters of like name and kind refer to like'parts in cach of the figures.'

My invention is an improvement upon a style of towel or clothes'frack in which a series of wooden bars is secured at one` end within corresponding metal sbanks, which are suitably hinged or pivoted t0 0r upon a metal bracket; and

It consists in the means employed for attaching the wooden bars to or upon the metal Shanks, as is hereinafter set forth. Y

In the annexed dr. wing-'- A represents a circula-r metal disk, having secured to the center thereof, by means of a neck, a, a bar, B, which, extending vertically in both directions to or near the edge of said disk, and from thence horizontally outward, as shown in iig. 2, is provided at each end with a cylindrical boss, O, having its axis placed in a perpendicular line.

Passing vertically through the centers of bosses C is a rod, D, upon which, and between said bosses,l are pivoted three fiat circular metal disks, E, having attached to and projecting horizontally outward from each a round bar or shank, F. l

Near the outer end of each shank F is provided a collar or shoulder, j; while projecting forward from the center of said end is an ordinary wood-screw, G. the head of which is secured within said shank by being cast therein; but, it' preferred, said sc1;ew may be formed upon the end ot' said shank.

H represents a wooden bar, having its outer end covered by means of a metal thimltle, 71 and its inner end embraced by a fer-rule, I, the latter of which extends one-half of its lengt-h beyond the bar.

As thus constructed, the bar is attached to the shank F by means ot' the screw G, for the reception of which a suitable longitudinal opening is provided within the end of the wood, while the ferrule I passes over the end of said shank, and, bearing at its end against the collar f, gives increased strength and security to the' joint.

As ordinarily constructed, the end of the shank is provided with a socket, somewhat smaller than the wooden rod or bar, intowhich the reduced end of thc Y latter is fitted, and secured in place by means. oi' a rivet passing through both parts, or by a wedge inserted in the end ot' said bar, and driven home by the act of placing the latter within the socket.

The above-described method possesses serions ohjectons, however, as the shrinkage of the wood will, in a'short time, loosen the bars, after which, by use, they rapidly wear at vtheir point of insertion within the sockets until suiciently loose to drop out.

It will be seen that my method of connecting the bars and shanks entirely obviates the above-named objections, as neither the shrinkage of the wood nor continued use can, in the slightest degree, impair the closeness of the joint, which, when o nce thoroughly made, can only be .disturbed by design, or by being broken.

Having thus fully set forth the nature and merits of my invention,

What 1 claim as new is- The shank F, provided with the screw G, in combination with the bar H, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing, I have here` `unto set my hand this 17th day ot' May, 1870.

J. M. .KEER

Vitnesses:

. vW. A. NIoHoLs, Geo. E. Jnwn'rr. 

